Fresh details have emerged in the probe into Australia’s deadliest mass shooting in decades, with Telangana Police confirming that Sajid Akram, one of the accused in the Bondi Beach terror attack, was originally from Hyderabad. The clarification corrects earlier reports that had identified the attacker as being of Pakistani origin.In a statement, Telangana Police said Sajid Akram had migrated to Australia nearly 27 years ago, in November 1998, after completing his B Com in Hyderabad.

He had limited contact with his family in Hyderabad over the years, visiting India only six times, primarily for family-related reasons such as property matters and visits to his elderly parents.The police added that his radicalisation and actions appeared to have no connection with India or any local influence in Telangana. Sajid carried an Indian passport, while his son Naveed Akram, 24 and daughter, born in Australia, are Australian citizens.Telangana police also confirmed that Sajid Akram had no adverse record in India prior to his migration.The attack unfolded on Sunday at Sydney’s iconic Bondi Beach during a Hanukkah event, when Sajid Akram, 50 and his 24-year-old son Naveed Akram opened fire on crowds from a raised pedestrian boardwalk.16 people were killed, including a 10-year-old girl, a rabbi, a retired police officer and a Holocaust survivor, while over 25 others were injured, six of them critically.Police said the attackers fired for nearly 10 minutes, triggering panic as families and tourists fled across the packed beachfront. Sajid Akram was shot dead in a gunfight with police at the scene, while Naveed was arrested and remains in hospital in a critical but stable condition under police guard.Australian authorities have declared the shooting a terrorist incident. Investigators recovered improvised explosive devices and two homemade flags linked to the Islamic State (IS) from a vehicle registered in Naveed’s name. Police also seized multiple firearms, some of which Sajid legally owned under a recreational firearms licence.Prime Minister Anthony Albanese said the attackers were radicalised by an “ideology of hate”, adding that the attack was intended to terrorise Australia’s Jewish community. He described the shooting as “an act of pure evil, an act of antisemitism, and an act of terrorism.”Security agencies are also probing the duo’s recent travel to the Philippines, where they reportedly stayed last month. Philippine immigration authorities confirmed that the men entered the country on November 1 and departed on November 28. Australian police said the purpose of the trip and reports of possible “military-style training” remain under investigation.According to New South Wales Police, the two men had told family members they were going on a fishing trip but were instead staying at a short-term rental in Sydney’s Campsie suburb, where investigators later recovered additional firearms.Australian intelligence agency ASIO had assessed Naveed Akram in 2019 due to concerns about his associations but did not classify him as an imminent threat at the time. Albanese said there was no intelligence failure.Bondi Beach remained an active crime scene on Tuesday as forensic and ballistic investigations continued, though authorities said the area is expected to reopen by Wednesday afternoon.The attack has reignited debate over gun laws in Australia, with the Prime Minister signalling possible tightening of firearms regulations, despite the country’s already strict gun control framework.Flags across Australia were lowered to half-mast to honour the victims, as the nation mourns a tragedy that shattered what had been a festive gathering at one of its most famous public spaces.

Hobart Hurricanes kicked off their BBL|15 campaign in style, defeating Sydney Thunder by four wickets in the third match of the season at Bellerive Oval, Hobart, on Tuesday.

Chasing a competitive target of 181, the Hurricanes showed composure and depth to get over the line with one ball to spare.

Sydney Thunder post 180, thanks to valuable knocks from Cameron Bancroft and Shadab Khan

Sydney Thunder were given a flying start by Matthew Gilkes, who smashed a rapid 20 off just 7 balls, but his innings ended abruptly when Billy Stanlake struck early. Stanlake continued to apply pressure, removing Sam Konstas (28) and later dismissing Cameron Bancroft, who top-scored with a composed 61 off 44 balls.

Thunder briefly wobbled in the middle overs as Chris Jordan struck twice in quick succession, removing Sam Billings and Oliver Davies.

An absolute beauty from Chris Jordan demolishes the middle stump! 💥 #GoldenMoment pic.twitter.com/OOtiiwbzmj

— KFC Big Bash League (@BBL) December 16, 2025

However, Shadab Khan (34 off 24) and Daniel Sams (23 not out off 11) steadied the innings and provided late acceleration.

The visitors finished with a strong flourish, reaching 180/6, though Hobart’s disciplined bowling -led by Stanlake’s 3/34 – ensured the total stayed within reach.

Hobart Hurricanes’ top-order sets the tone in the chase

Mitchell Owen and Nikhil Chaudhary provide early momentum

Hobart’s chase began aggressively, with Mitchell Owen launching a blistering 32 off 14 balls, including seven boundaries, to dominate the powerplay. After Owen’s dismissal, Nikhil Chaudhary took control, playing a crucial knock of 41 off 31 balls, anchoring the innings through the middle overs.

Ben McDermott added momentum with an entertaining 38 off 24, while the Hurricanes maintained a healthy run rate, keeping the required rate in check despite regular wickets.

Gone! McDermott launches it out of there and a replacement ball is called 🚀 #BBL15 pic.twitter.com/B1Oay3PIpN

— KFC Big Bash League (@BBL) December 16, 2025

Tim David and Wade provide late push

The Hurricanes’ middle order ensured there was no panic during the chase. Tim David contributed a quick 17 off 9, while wicketkeeper Matthew Wade chipped in with a valuable 25 off 16, combining aggression with smart strike rotation.

Though Shadab Khan briefly brought Thunder back into the contest with two wickets, Hobart remained calm as the finish approached.

Also READ: IPL 2026 Auction – Here’s why Cameron Green will receive only INR 18 crore even though KKR bought him for INR 25.2 crore

Chris Jordan and Nathan Ellis finish the Job for Hurricanes

With the pressure mounting in the final overs, Chris Jordan (16 not out off 13) and captain Nathan Ellis (5 not out off 8) held their nerve to guide Hobart home. Jordan’s calm presence proved decisive as the Hurricanes crossed the line at 181/6 in 19.5 overs, sealing a four-wicket victory.

For Sydney Thunder, Shadab (2/36) and Chris Green (1/33) were the standout bowlers, but the total proved just short on a good batting surface.

Defending champions Hobart Hurricanes open their account with a win 🙂#cricket #HHvST #BBL15 pic.twitter.com/oyl08pfRex

— CricketTimes.com (@CricketTimesHQ) December 16, 2025

Also READ: Tim Seifert’s spectacular century helps Melbourne Renegades crush Brisbane Heat in BBL|15

NEW DELHI: Bihar minority affairs minister Zama Khan on Tuesday defended Chief Minister Nitish Kumar after a row erupted over an incident in which he was seen removing the hijab of a woman doctor during a public function.Addressing the issue, Khan said, “The CM is, perhaps, older than the father of the woman in question. I have a daughter, and I could sense the fatherly affection he had expressed.”The incident took place on Monday at the Chief Minister’s Secretariat during a programme where appointment letters were distributed to newly recruited AYUSH doctors. More than 1,000 doctors were appointed at the event.

Nusrat Parveen, one of the appointees, stepped forward to receive her appointment letter directly from Kumar. While standing on a raised platform, the Chief Minister noticed Parveen’s veil, remarked, “what is this?” and pulled it down, revealing her face.Rejecting the criticism, Khan said, “Only recently has the NDA secured a landslide victory in assembly polls under his leadership. Those trying to create a scandal have a very twisted mindset.”He further said the Chief Minister’s actions were being wrongly interpreted. “The CM had simply tried to highlight the fact that girls of the minority community, too, are making progress in Bihar. But the mudslingers are causing embarrassment to the poor girl, too,” Khan said.The episode triggered sharp political reactions, with Nitish Kumar, the longest-serving Chief Minister of Bihar, also facing allegations questioning his mental fitness to govern the state.The Congress party strongly attacked the Chief Minister over what it termed a “disgusting act” and demanded his immediate resignation. In a statement, the party said, “If a person occupying the highest post in the state behaves in such a disgraceful manner in public, one can only imagine how safe women are in the state.”The programme involved the distribution of appointment letters to 1,283 AYUSH doctors, including 685 Ayurvedic, 393 Homeopathic and 205 Unani practitioners. According to officials, the newly appointed doctors will be posted at various health institutions under AYUSH Medical Services and the National Health Mission.

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Cameron Green and Prithvi Shaw (Image credit: Agencies)

NEW DELHI: Kolkata Knight Riders dominated proceedings at the IPL players’ auction on Tuesday, making two headline signings by spending Rs 25.20 crore on Australian all-rounder Cameron Green and Rs 18 crore to secure Sri Lankan fast bowler Matheesha Pathirana. While big money flowed for overseas stars, Indian batters Prithvi Shaw and Sarfaraz Khan were among the notable names to remain unsold despite strong recent performances.Green’s acquisition rewrote the record books as he went past fellow Australian Mitchell Starc’s previous mark of Rs 24.75 crore to become the most expensive overseas player in IPL auction history. The bidding for Green turned into a fierce contest between KKR and Chennai Super Kings, before Kolkata eventually outbid their rivals.

KKR were also involved in the race for India all-rounder Venkatesh Iyer but stepped aside as Royal Challengers Bengaluru clinched him for Rs 7 crore. The three-time champions then turned their attention to Pathirana, entering the contest after Delhi Capitals and Lucknow Super Giants bowed out of the bidding. Starting at a base price of Rs 2 crore, Pathirana emerged as the costliest Sri Lankan ever sold at an IPL auction.Under current auction regulations, Green will earn Rs 18 crore for the season, with the remaining amount from the bid being allocated to the BCCI’s player development programme. Pathirana, however, will receive his full Rs 18 crore as it falls within the salary cap.Green, who has previously represented Mumbai Indians and Royal Challengers Bengaluru, has featured in 29 IPL matches, scoring 707 runs and claiming 16 wickets. Shaw and Sarfaraz, meanwhile, went unsold despite impressive domestic form, with Sarfaraz fresh off a blistering 22-ball 73 for Mumbai in the Syed Mushtaq Ali Trophy.Elsewhere, South African batter David Miller was picked up by Delhi Capitals for his base price of Rs 2 crore, while New Zealand opener Devon Conway went unsold. Quinton de Kock returned to Mumbai Indians for Rs 1 crore, Spencer Johnson found no takers, and South African pacer Anrich Nortje was signed by Lucknow Super Giants after entering the auction at a base price of Rs 2 crore.

IPL Auction 2026 Sold Players List

IPL Auction 2026 Unsold Players List

Cash discovery row: Justice Yashwant Varma (File Photo)

NEW DELHI: The Supreme Court on Tuesday agreed to hear a plea by Allahabad high court’s Justice Yashwant Varma challenging the constitution of an inquiry committee set up by the Lok Sabha Speaker to probe corruption charges against him.A bench of Justices Dipankar Datta and Augustine George Masih issued notices to the Lok Sabha Speaker’s office and the secretaries-general of both Houses of Parliament, seeking their responses after senior advocate Mukul Rohatgi, appearing for Justice Varma, flagged a “procedural lapse” in the constitution of the Lok Sabha inquiry panel.Rohatgi submitted that the introduction of a motion in both Houses of Parliament to remove a judge requires the inquiry panel to be formed jointly by the Lok Sabha and Rajya Sabha, and cannot be constituted unilaterally by the Lok Sabha Speaker.“Where the notices of the motion are ‘given’ to the Houses on the same date, no committee will be constituted, unless the motion is being admitted in both Houses. And where such motion is admitted in both Houses, the committee shall be constituted jointly by the Lok Sabha Speaker and the Rajya Sabha Chairman,” PTI quoted Rohatgi as saying.In his plea, Justice Varma has also sought that the admission of the Lok Sabha motion to remove him be declared “contrary to law.”The matter has been posted for the next hearing on January 7.On March 14, large sums of currency were found at Justice Varma’s official residence in Delhi, where he was then serving as a high court judge. He was later transferred to the Allahabad high court in Uttar Pradesh. Following the discovery, then-Chief Justice of India (CJI) Sanjiv Khanna initiated an in-house probe into the allegations and set up a three-member panel, which submitted its report on May 4. The panel found Justice Varma guilty of misconduct.After receiving the report, the then-CJI asked Justice Varma to resign or face impeachment proceedings. Following the judge’s refusal to resign, the report was forwarded to President Droupadi Murmu and Prime Minister Narendra Modi.On August 7, the Supreme Court dismissed Justice Varma’s plea seeking to invalidate the in-house inquiry report. On August 12, Lok Sabha Speaker Om Birla constituted a separate three-member committee to probe the charges against the judge.

Chennai Super Kings snapped Karthik Sharma for Rs 14.20 during the IPL 2026 Mini Auction. (Instagram)

NEW DELHI: Lokendra Singh Chahar vividly remembers the day he saw a five-year-old Kartik sitting on his father’s shoulders, holding a plastic bat, at his academy in Agra.Kartik Sharma’s father, Manoj Kumar — a cricket tragic himself — wanted his son to become a cricketer, a dream he had but failed to fulfil.

“He was five, holding a plastic bat in his hands, and his words were: ‘Sir, chakke maarne waala cricketer banna hai’ (I want to be known as a six-hitter),” Lokendra Singh Chahar, who has trained his son Deepak Chahar and nephew Rahul Chahar, told TimesofIndia.com.On Tuesday, the Rajasthan wicketkeeper-batter was sold to Chennai Super Kings (CSK) for ₹14.20 crore after a fierce bidding war.“I was calm. I am not feeling anything. The people in my family are jumping with joy — they’ve been doing that since my batting clips went viral on social media,” the 19-year-old told TimesofIndia.com after his IPL windfall.“The first thing I will do now is go to the nearest sweet shop and then visit the homes of the people who have supported me the most on this journey. There are six or seven such people, and I will go to each of their houses,” he says.The teenager is also planning a quick trip to Agra from his hometown, Bharatpur, to pay his respects to the Chahars.

Kartik Sharma represents Rajasthan in domestic cricket. (Instagram)

If Lokendra Singh Chahar trained Kartik, it was Deepak Chahar whose bat Kartik still uses — and who, five years ago, gave him a pair of wicketkeeping gloves and said: “Keeping karna start kar, nahi toh ek dimension ka player reh jaayega” (Start keeping, or you’ll remain a one-dimensional player).“I never had any role models. I grew up watching Deepak bhaiya and Rahul bhaiya. Both went on to play for India. I never had to look anywhere else,” he laughs.“I wasn’t a wicketkeeper earlier. Four years ago, Deepak bhaiya asked me if I wanted to keep wickets. I said, ‘Yes bhaiya, I will do it,’” recalls Sharma.Kartik has been the toast of IPL franchises and was called for trials by seven teams. He smashed 18 sixes at the Kolkata Knight Riders (KKR) trial and impressed Dinesh Karthik at the Royal Challengers Bengaluru (RCB) camp. After watching Kartik bat, Karthik told the teenager never to be satisfied, saying he was meant for greatness.“Barring GT, Punjab and LSG, I’ve given trials for every other team,” he says.“When I went for the RCB trial, I met Dinesh Karthik. He told me to work harder and never stop. He said I have everything in me to play for India. He told me that even if I get a big IPL contract, I should not be satisfied because the sky is the limit. I’m extremely grateful for his words,” says Kartik.Lokendra Singh Chahar believes his ward will go a long way, as this is just the beginning.“He never runs away from hard work. Yes, his father trained him and I coached him for 14 years, but it’s his hunger that has helped him reach this level,” says Chahar senior.“At the age of eight, he used to face 500 balls a day. He was a natural power-hitter. When he turned 13, he played for our club’s senior team in tournaments where the prize money was ₹1–2 lakh.“I remember him scoring 300 runs in a 50-over local match,” he recalls.Chahar also admits that, like Deepak and Rahul, Kartik has faced his wrath.“I’ve scolded him a lot — and yes, I’ve used my hands too. Shaitaan hai ek number ka (He’s extremely naughty),” Chahar laughs.“In one match, he won the toss and opted to bat on a green top when our strategy was to bowl. When I confronted him, he said, ‘Sir, yeh log out ho jaayenge, phir mujhe batting nahi milegi’ (They’ll get out cheaply, and I won’t get to bat). There were times we lost matches because of his approach. He targeted 300 runs in every game,” says Chahar.

File photo of Karthik Sharma. (Instagram)

Kartik credits his six-hitting prowess to his father.“My father used to hit big sixes. He was a cricketer himself but later quit. He worked on my power-hitting. From the age of five, when we moved to Agra, he used to throw me 200–300 balls after my training. His only instruction was: ‘Chakke maar bas’ (Only look to hit sixes),” says Kartik.However, Chahar explains the secret behind Kartik’s power.“His wrists and forearms are very strong. He generates excellent power. His bat swing is exceptional, and above all, his base is solid,” explains Chahar.Chahar also recalls a conversation between himself, Deepak and Kartik that pushed the youngster towards becoming a wicketkeeper and finisher.“Deepak warned him that keeping is a thankless job. If you drop a catch, people will abuse you; if you take a blinder, they’ll say it was the gloves. No one enjoys keeping — not even Mahi bhai (MS Dhoni). But if you can bat at No. 5 or 6 and keep wickets, your value increases. You’ll earn more in the IPL,” says Chahar.Deepak’s words proved prophetic as Kartik created a paddle stir in Abu Dhabi.“He’s like Virender Sehwag,” says Lokendra Singh Chahar.“Isko koi farq nahi padta kaunsa format hai (He doesn’t care which format he’s playing),” he adds.Rajasthan head coach Anshu Jain calls him “chhota packet, bada dhamaka.”“Two years ago, he was playing U-19 cricket when someone told me an exceptional talent was coming through. When he hits the ball, it stays hit. You’ll see him playing for India very soon,” says Jain.Kartik’s father Manoj, busy receiving guests amid the beat of dhols, now wants his son to dream in Indian colours.“The IPL is done. Now he should dream of playing for India — and then play all three formats for the country,” he says.“I don’t have words. This is a life-changing moment for all of us,” he adds.Kartik says his father has become emotional but vows to rise to the challenge laid before him.“I want to play all three formats, but for now, I just want the opportunity. Whichever format it is, I just want to play,” he says.

MUMBAI: Mumbai: Axis Bank expects India’s economy to grow 7.5% in real terms in FY27 and is not unduly worried about recent weakness in the rupee, arguing that macro headwinds are easing and could turn into tailwinds next year.Presenting the bank’s outlook for 2026, Neelkanth Mishra, chief economist at Axis Bank, said India would remain “among major economies, the fastest growing in the world,” aided by a shift from stabilisation to acceleration as monetary conditions ease and structural reforms begin to show results. The forecast is higher than the broader consensus of about 6.8%, which Mishra said reflected the time lag in some analysts reviewing forecasts following new data.

On the currency, Mishra played down concerns after the rupee weakened past 91 to the dollar, calling it a “mild but not wild depreciation.” He said India’s balance of payments position remained comfortable and saw no structural vulnerabilities. “There are no structural issues here which need to be addressed,” he said, attributing recent moves largely to speculative flows and endorsing the RBI’s approach of letting the currency find its level. Axis Bank’s base case sees the rupee drifting to 92–94 by June 2027.Mishra said growth slowed to about 6.5% in the past year due to “significant monetary and fiscal tightening,” estimating that fiscal drag (due to reducing debt) and credit constraints (due to slower credit growth amid caution on credit-deposit ratio) together shaved around 3.3 percentage points off potential growth. “FY27 is when the first tailwinds start to appear,” he said, adding that monetary policy is likely to move from being a drag to supporting growth.Mishra’s optimism is rooted more in structural changes than in a cyclical rebound. He said the worst of fiscal consolidation was behind the economy. While FY25 saw fiscal tightening of about 130 basis points, FY27 is expected to see only around 20 basis points, easing pressure on growth.He also pointed to regulatory and state-level reforms as a quiet but powerful boost to potential growth. Citing GST changes and labour reforms, Mishra said 16 states had implemented 38 major measures, including allowing women to work night shifts. “This is like a systemic unlock,” he said, arguing that such steps raise India’s long-term growth potential.On investment, Mishra said early signs of a revival were visible, with corporate capital expenditure, excluding telecom, growing about 15% in the first half of the current fiscal. As borrowing costs ease, this could mark the start of what he called a “golden age for Indian entrepreneurship.”At the same time, Mishra flagged policy priorities to sustain growth. He said 10-year government bond yields, currently near 6.6%, should “correct significantly” towards 6.1%. He criticised the long-duration bias in government borrowing, saying it had become “too much of a good thing,” and suggested issuing more T-bills to help lower yields.On inflation, Mishra said policymakers should not rush to tighten policy, arguing that there was still significant slack in the economy. “It’s not enough that growth rates are above trend that you start to tighten,” he said, adding that Axis Bank does not expect inflation to rise to levels that would force policy tightening through 2026.

The US government has launched a website to hire 1,000 engineers into Federal roles. Building ‘Tech for the American People’, is how the website describes the job requirement. It calls the hires US TechForce. As per the information on the website, the Donald Trump administration is looking to hire employees with expertise in software engineering, artificial intelligence, cybersecurity and data analytics. The selected candidates will be assigned to positions inside government agencies, with most of the roles based in Washington DC for a period of two years.Private companies have reportedly promised to consider the program’s alumni for positions, according to the website, once their two-year term with American government ends. The list of these companies includes Apple, Google and Nvidia, among others. The page also has an FAQ listed below that tries to answer queries that applicants may have. On specific educational credentials required to participate, it says: ‘A traditional degree is not required. Candidates should demonstrate strong technical skills through their work experience, projects, or certifications’. On minimum experience required, it says: ‘No fixed amount of work experience is required. Applicants must meet the minimum qualifications listed in each job announcement. What matters most is your ability to address critical government technology challenges.’ The FAQ also makes it clear that their is no political mission related to these positions, “No, Tech Force is focused exclusively on improving government technology capabilities. All work is non-partisan and centered on serving the American public through better technology,” it says.

What the ‘Tech for the American People‘ says

The US Tech Force is recruiting an elite corps of engineers to build the next generation of government technology. Backed by the White House, Tech Force will tackle the most complex and large-scale civic and defense challenges of our era – from administering critical financial infrastructure at the Treasury Department to advancing cutting-edge programs at the Department of Defense – and everything in between.Through a two-year program, participants will work in teams reporting directly to agency leadership. In collaboration with leading technology companies, participants will receive technical training, engage with industry leaders, and work closely with senior managers from companies partnering with the Tech Force.Upon completing the program, engineers can seek employment with the partnering private-sector companies for potential full-time roles – demonstrating the value of combining civil service with technical expertise.If you are highly skilled in the areas of software engineering, artificial intelligence, cybersecurity, data analytics, or technical project management and want to build the future of American government technology, join the Tech Force today.

The rupee on Tuesday depreciated to another record low, by 23 paise against the US dollar, reaching 91.01 (provisional) . This decline was attributed to continuous foreign fund outflows, stalled India-US trade negotiations, and sustained US dollar purchases.The domestic currency initially dropped 36 paise to touch 91.14, its lowest point ever, before recovering slightly. Despite the US dollar’s weakness and significant reductions in global oil prices, the rupee continued its downward trend, according to currency traders.Over the past 10 trading sessions, the rupee has moved from 90 to 91 against the dollar. The currency has declined by 1 per cent versus the US dollar in just five sessions.Currency traders suggest that the rupee could potentially exceed 92 against the dollar this month.In interbank foreign exchange trading, the rupee began at 90.87 and fluctuated between 90.76 and 91.14 before closing at 91.01 (provisional), showing a 23 paise decline from its previous close.The domestic currency had closed at 90.78 against the US dollar on Monday, recording a 29 paise decrease from its earlier close. “Rupee made a new lifetime low as dollar buying continued with news that (US President) Donald Trump has not agreed to the new trade proposals from India. So the deal goes into limbo till a new one is finalised,” said Anil Kumar Bhansali, Head of Treasury and Executive Director, Finrex Treasury Advisors LLP, as quoted by PTI.“FPIs will continue to sell while speculators will continue to take USD/INR up in the absence of RBI intervention… 92 looks imminent unless RBI has other ideas or a deal is finalised,” he added, forecasting tomorrow’s range between 90.75 and 91.25.According to exchange data, foreign institutional investors divested equities worth Rs 1,468.32 crore on Monday.